Comments on: Charlie X

By: Scot

Scot — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:22:24 +0000

Point taken and understood. As a confirmed Trek geek who got hooked on the show during its original 1966-1969 network run (yes, I’m that old), I tend to get hyper-defensive about anything that seems to mock the more dated aspects of the show — even if it’s just meant as good-natured ribbing.

As for the earpiece receiver looking silly, a lot of people thought — and still think — that Spock’s ears looked a lot sillier.

By: Tom Charman

Tom Charman — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:50:50 +0000

Welcome Scot! I think the problem here is that you think we're saying "They have silly looking antennas in their ears and are 60's level sexist, therefore the show sucks." I certainly wasn't trying to say that, and I doubt Jackson was. I've been watching TOS from the start on the new Blu-Rays and loving it. Part of the fun of it has been observing how the culture of the 1960s informs it all. I didn't mean to demean Star Trek's considerable achievements in sex and race equality. Despite having Number One nixed there are still some excellent female characters in the series so far. However there's also most of the girls running round in skirts that barely cover their arses. As you say, it's a product of its time.

Still, the thingy in the ear does look silly. :) I've seen other SF TV from the same period where they'd put communicator things in watches without giant radars sticking out. I feel a small tease is appropriate there.

By: Scot

Scot — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:55:23 +0000

"A five year, sexist exploration mission. In that since (I assume you mean 'sense') they are completely explorers. Sexist explorers."

Give me a break here! You're accusing a TV show made in 1966 of not being made in 2009. In fact, Star Trek was groundbreaking and advanced for its time in having a future military, or quasi-military, spaceship crewed by a mix of races and nationalities, with one-third being female.

Gene Roddenberry's original pilot had a woman as First Officer, but both the network executives and preview audiences nixed that character. Even female viewers didn't like the idea of a tough, strong-willed woman with command responsibilites. That was the 1960s for you.

"The ear-mounted receiver used by Spock is a giant freaking antenna that sticks horizontally out of his ear." Well, what did you expect in 1966? A friggin' Bluetooth?

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:27:11 +0000

Starfleet is some weird multifunctional organisation that serves as a military fleet, diplomats, explorers and science vessels all at once. Clearly they can't be too concerned with fighting because there ships are bright shiny and covered with flashing lights. Hardly stealthy.

The Enterprise is on a five year exploration mission though. A five year, sexist exploration mission. In that since they are completely explorers. Sexist explorers.

Now excuse me while I try and finish up my Star Trek review. Sorry it's taken so long. It's my project for the weekend.

By: Tom Charman

Tom Charman — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:39:26 +0000

They don't seem totally military. They're more explorers. Think of them as the English or the Spanish back when those guys were wandering the seas.

They might have been more cautious, but I believe the boy who could control everything made them take him on board. I could be wrong.

By: Andy Cocker

Andy Cocker — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:03:47 +0000

Don’t they quarantine the people they pick up? Also aren’t they a military vessel?